Detox your tresses with clarifying shampoo

There are countless problems we can point out about our hair - it’s too dry, too oily, too frizzy, too flat, etc. For each of these nuisances, we seek out products that can keep them at bay. Sometimes we stick to one, but other times we can get a little too carried away by layering product on top of product. Over time, all of these build up and, in the end, become more problematic than helpful. Along with the natural oils, hard water deposits, and dirts that rise up on your scalp, the combination of product can lead to greasiness, dandruff, and just make it flat out dirty. So what’s the best way to get your hair back to a truly clean slate? Try detoxing your strands with a clarifying shampoo that will restore shine and give your hair a fresh start.

If you’re not familiar with clarifying shampoo, it’s like your regular shampoo but kicked up about 10 notches. It’s a deep cleansing mixture which removes unwanted residue - aka product build up - from your scalp. While regular shampoos will simply clean your hair, a targeted clarifying formula will cut through the gunk, leaving your hair clean without stripping it of its natural oils.

Use a clarifying shampoo in the same way you would a regular shampoo - start with a small coin-sized amount and work into your scalp with light massage for about a minute. Depending on the amount of build up and oils in your hair, the shampoo may not lather as much, so don’t worry if it doesn’t look like what you’re used to. Rinse well, then repeat the process but with a smaller amount for the second round. There should be more suds than the first time, and let that sit for another minute or two so all the build up can be lifted. Rinse well again, and condition as normal. You may find you need to use more conditioner than usual, since clarifying shampoo often does not contain the same moisturisers as your regular shampoo.

For most people, treating your scalp to a clarifying shampoo treatment is a once-a-month ritual. Some clarifying formulas can strip hair, making your strands dry and remove natural oils, which your scalp needs to maintain its moisture balance. However, if you tend to use a lot of product or, say are a swimmer drenched in chlorine all the time, you may need to use it once a week.

Clarifying shampoos can tend to be on the pricier side, so if you’re feeling up to the challenge of a spot of DIY, you can create your own with a few simple ingredients. To make a homemade clarifying shampoo, take one spoonful of baking soda and pour it into an empty water bottle or cup, then add warm water - enough for the baking soda to fully dissolve. You can add a small bit of apple cider vinegar to the concoction, which will help to create suds. Gently shake the bottle, and once it’s all mixed, pour it over wet hair and work through the tresses and scalp for a few minutes. Leave it in for up to 15 minutes before rinsing well.